The new Vantage distribution network will provide growers, advisors, retailers, co-ops and local OEM dealers with precision agriculture expertise. Vantage partners will provide the complete Trimble precision farming portfolio and advise growers and their advisors on the right combination of technology-based solutions for their operation to improve farm efficiency and productivity.

As the complexity of integrating multiple systems together across a farming operation increases, so does the need for seamless service and support from technicians that have an extensive skillset in all areas of precision farming. Being a Vantage distributor will include a requirement to provide a premier level of technical expertise, customer service and support capabilities regardless of location. As a result, whether it is individual farmers or large farms with global operations, all Vantage customers will be able to expect a consistent level of technical expertise and service when working with Trimble Vantage partners throughout the world.

Vantage partners will be required to complete an extensive level of training to ensure they operate at a premier level and become a regional center of excellence. Vantage technicians will be professionally trained to install, set up and support the entire Trimble precision agriculture portfolio from planning through reporting. The Trimble agriculture portfolio has evolved from guidance and flow & application control systems to now include advanced solutions for irrigation, agri-services, plant health monitoring, soil analysis, aerial imaging, variable rate application and total farm and data management with the Connected Farm solution.

Vantage partners will be committed to provide reliable, responsive and dedicated in-field service and support, as well as to create a hassle-free experience for the grower and their advisor when implementing advanced technology solutions. They will also provide training so growers and advisors have a better understanding of how to use the technology in a way that best meets their farming needs.

In addition, Vantage partners will operate with a strategy that fosters technology interoperability in mixed fleets used on a farm, whether it is machinery, seed or chemical. This allows growers and their advisors to work with the best possible solutions for their particular needs regardless of brand.

The Vantage distribution network is expected to consist of approximately 120 dealers worldwide and is planned to be completed over the next 36 months. The current Trimble Agriculture dealer network will continue to offer Trimble hardware to its farm customers.

"We are excited to launch the Vantage distribution network to better support the increasingly sophisticated technology needs in the agriculture industry worldwide," said Darryl Matthews, senior vice president and sector head of Trimble. "We expect Vantage regional partners to become the local 'professional services' experts who assist growers and their advisors with making precision technology work seamlessly across increasingly complex farming operations. The end result for the grower is
maximized productivity and efficiency."

The first four Vantage distribution partners include:

• Vantage Southeast: Vantage Southeast was established from Trimble's authorized reseller in the southeast U.S. — Ag Technologies. Based 2 hours south of Atlanta in Cordele, Ga., Vantage Southeast focuses on Trimble total farm solutions for growers and crop advisors throughout Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.
• Vantage France Nord: Vantage France Nord was established from Trimble's authorized reseller in France-Latitude GPS. Based 2 hours west of Paris, France, Vantage France Nord will provide Trimble total farm solutions throughout most of the northern regions of France.
• Vantage South: Vantage South was established from Trimble's authorized reseller in the southern U.S. — Ag Management Solutions. Based in Enterprise, Ala., Vantage South focuses on Trimble total farm solutions for growers and crop advisors throughout Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.
• Vantage Balkans: Vantage Balkans was established from Trimble's authorized reseller in Romania. Vantage Balkans' central office is located in Bucharest, Romania, and will offer Trimble total farm solutions to growers throughout the surrounding Balkan region.

For additional information about Vantage, visit: www.Vantage-Ag.com.